Chapter 12: The Truth Hurts

The metal cage was cold and hard, bars digging into Isabella's back—ouch!—pressing sharp—ow!—as she curled up tight, her knees pulled up—shiver, shiver! Her bitten leg throbbed bad—thump, thump—blood dripping slow—drip, and sticky down. Her burned hands stung like bees—ow!—injuries popping—red and raw—hurting with every breath—it hurt so much! Her dress was muddy rags, torn and scratchy—itchy on her scratched legs—her ribs ached from kicks—sharp stabs—ow!—her tummy kept making sounds—grrr!—so empty she felt sick—her head spinning—round and round—tears ran down her muddy face—drip, drip—her beautiful eyes big and scared—she was trapped and falling apart.

Victor stood outside the cage, tall and creepy, his black eyes staring cold—like deep holes—making her shake more—shiver! His fancy coat was on motion—his neck scar twisty and long—gross in the bright lights—bzzz—glaring down. "Dante," he said, slow and mean—his deep voice rumbling—low and scary—"I burned your parents. Me—not Lorenzo." Dante froze—still as stone—his gray eyes popping wide—shock!—his gun shaking in his hand—click—his bloody arm dripping—red on the floor. Isabella gasped loud—"What?"—her voice tiny and shaky—her heart banging fast—thump, thump. 

Victor grinned sly—his teeth white and sharp—creepy like a wolf—"I wanted the mafia," he said, his voice smooth—slow and deep—"Lorenzo was my puppet—dumb and easy to trick." Dante roared loud—"Liar!"—banging the bars hard—the noise bouncing—his face red—mad and wild—his scar ugly and shiny with sweat—twisting in the light. He was so mad! "You're dead!" he yelled—his voice booming—shaking the cage—but Victor laughed loud—ha, ha!—deep—echoing off the metal walls—he was so calm!

"I tricked him," Victor said, leaning close—thump, thump—his boots made sounds—"and you too. Isabella's my bait—to break you." Her tummy flipped hard—bait?—like a fish on a hook—gross and scary! She cried, "No, I don't know anything!"—her voice shaky and small—tears falling fast like rain—her burned hands shaking. She was just a toy to him, so sad and lost! Her head spun—round and round—thinking of her dad—smiling, laughing—did Victor make him bad?—she didn't get it—tears hurted her scratched cheeks—ow!

Victor snapped his fingers—loud and sharp—echoing, and men dragged Marco in. His gray suit bloody and torn—ripped at the arms. He was weak, his leg red—blood pooling—wet and shiny—falling hard—thump!—dust puffing up—swirling in the lights. "Boss!" Marco groaned—his voice scratchy—rolling slow—his face white.

Dante yelled—"Marco!"—banging the bars more—his fists red—ow!—but couldn't get out—trapped tight. 

Victor kicked Marco very hard—thud!—his fancy boot hitting him right in the stomach—ow!—making him cry out in pain—ow, ow!—blood started coming out—making a red puddle on the floor—yuck!

"Tell them," Victor said loudly and meanly—his voice was sharp like a knife and hurt Marco's ears. Marco coughed weakly—feeling tired and slow—"Enzo... he's working with Victor... they tricked us…"—his words were barely audible—soft and shaky.

Dante's eyes grew wide with surprise—"Enzo?"—he yelled loudly—feeling angry and shocked—his voice was like thunder. Enzo was a sneaky liar, and nobody saw it coming!

Isabella cried even harder. Her tears falling fast—drip, drip!—her tummy hurt more. She thought Enzo was her friend, but now he was the bad guy—his sneaky smile made sense now. She felt sad and betrayed—her heart was breaking.

Victor laughed again—ha, ha—"Enzo's mine—always was,"—waving his hand—his coat flapping. His eyes were mean and sly—so tricky! He waved more, and men grabbed Isabella through the bars—pulling her arms hard—ow!—bruising her more—injury spots growing—ouch! She screamed—"No!"—kicking weak—thump, thump—her bitten leg dragging slow—pain burning—ow, ow!—tears streaming. 

Dante rushed forward quickly—thud!—grabbing Isabella's waist—pulling her back strongly, but his bloody arm slipped—making it hard for him to fight the men. "Let her go!" he shouted loudly—his voice was wild and fierce—echoing loudly. His gray eyes flashing with anger and fear. 

One of the men punched Dante—making his nose bleed even more. Blood ran down his face quickly, and it hurt so much that he yelled—ow!—his head jerked back. Isabella cried out—"Stop!"—her voice was hoarse and scratchy—she sounded desperate—but the men pulled even harder—ow!—stretching her arms painfully—burning hot pain—ow, ow—it looked like she was being stretched like rubber!

Dante tried to hold on tight, but the men were too strong—they kept pulling, making Isabella cry louder—her body shaking. Dante's face twisted in anger and worry—his eyes locked on Isabella—trying to protect her.

Victor grinned bigger—"She's mine now,"—stepping close—his boots loud—his shadow big—dark and scary—covering her. 

Dante held on tightly—pulling Isabella with all his might—her hurt leg bumped against the bars—thump!—making her blood smear everywhere— her burned hands hit the bars too—ow!—making the pain sting even more—tears fell from her eyes. 

She screamed loudly—"Help me!"—her voice was cracking and sounded weak—high and shaky—her tummy was growling with hunger—grrr—she was so hungry that she started shaking. Her body felt weak and wobbly like she was going to fall apart!

Dante tried to pull her closer—but the bars were in the way. He didn't want to hurt her more—ow!—but he had to get her out—had to! Isabella's eyes were wide with fear—big and round—she looked like she was going to faint. Dante held on tight, trying to keep her safe—safe and sound!

Then—bang!—a loud shot outside—boom!—shaking the hideout—dust falling from the ceiling—swirling slow—gray and thick—something big was coming! Victor turned fast—"What's that?"—his voice sharp—his black eyes narrow—mean and quick—his hand waving—swish! Men ran—thump, thump—yelling loud—"Intruders!"—guns up—boots stomping—echoing. Dante pulled Isabella close, her burned hands hitting his chest—ow!—crying loud—"Who's there?"—her voice shaky—hope and fear mixing—her heart banging—trapped, but maybe help was coming—smoke and shots so loud!